PROTECTING YOUR HOME

Don't Let Termites Put The Bite On Your House

(NAPSI)-Could termites have your home by the walls, the floors and the ceilings? These saw-toothed, wood-eating insects eat 24 hours a day, seven days a week, making infestations much more common than you may think. This incessant gnawing can severely compromise the structural stability of your home as they chew their way through important support beams.

In fact, according to the National Pest Management Association (NPMA), termites cause more than $5 billion in property damage each year across the U.S.-and damage from wood-boring insects is typically not covered by homeowners' insurance policies.

What To Do

The best way to effectively treat an existing termite infestation is through professional pest control, but there are steps homeowners can take to help keep the pests from invading in the first place.

For instance, simple things, such as keeping tree branches and shrubbery well trimmed and away from the house, can help.

The experts at the NPMA also recommend these tips for controlling termites:

• Seal cracks and holes on the outside of the home, including entry points for utilities and pipes.